Slot machine and playing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A slot machine comprises a display and a controller. The display has slot game areas including a specific slot game area and displays slot games on the slot game areas. The controller is operable to (a) execute the slot games on one or more of the slot game areas except the specific slot game area and (b) execute the slot game on the specific slot game area when the slot games executed in (a) have brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent Application No.2006-337540, filed on Dec. 14, 2006, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent applicationentitled “SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHOD THEREOF” referred to as theprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-337480, filed in Japan onDec. 14, 2006, co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “SLOT MACHINEAND PLAYING METHOD THEREOF” referred to as the prior Japanese PatentApplication No. 2006-337541, filed in Japan on Dec. 14, 2006, co-pendingU.S. patent application entitled “SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHODTHEREOF” referred to as the prior Japanese Patent Application No.2006-337556, filed in Japan on Dec. 14, 2006, and co-pending U.S. patentapplication entitled “SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHOD THEREOF” referredto as the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-343150, filed inJapan on Dec. 20, 2006, which are assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention. The teachings of the co-pending applications areincorporated herein by reference to the extent they do not conflict withthe teachings herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slot machine and a playing methodthereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a conventional slot machine, a plurality of reels (e.g., three reels)on which a plurality of symbols is drawn spins, respectively, when aplayer inserts a medal(s) into a medal insertion slot and then presses astart button. The reels stop after a predetermined time has elapsed. Atthis time, a payout is awarded to the player according to the number ofinserted medals if a winning symbol combination achieved on a presetpayline. Alternatively, a payout is awarded to the player according tothe number of inserted medals if a predetermined number of scattersymbols displayed.

On the other hand, in the gaming machine described in U.S. Pat. No.6,855,052, a plurality of wheels provided above the reels begins to spinsequentially and then stops if a preset symbol combination has displayedon the reels after the reels has stopped. A large amount payout isawarded if the stopped wheels have brought a predetermined outcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have thought that provision of a certain slotmachine is desired, with which a player can play a plurality of slotgames instead of only one slot game by one time insertion of a medal(s)as described above. The slot machine can further stimulate the desire toplay games of the player. Therefore, an object of the present inventionis to provide a slot machine and a playing method thereof capable ofimproving entertaining feature.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a slot machine whichcomprises: a display which has slot game areas including a specific slotgame area and displays slot games on the slot game areas, each of theslot games being a game in which symbols had been displayed on each ofthe slot game areas are rearranged; and a controller. The controller isoperable to (a) execute the slot games on one or more of the slot gameareas except the specific slot game area, and (b) execute the slot gameon the specific slot game area when the slot games executed in (a) havebrought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.

It is preferable that the controller is operable to execute the slotgames on all of the slot game areas except the specific slot game areain (a).

It is preferable that the slot game areas except the specific slot gamearea are constituted by a liquid crystal display panel and the specificslot game area is constituted by mechanical reels.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a slot machine whichcomprises: a display which has slot game areas including a specific slotgame area and displays slot games on the slot game areas; an inputdevice for inputting a bet amount; and a controller. Each of the slotgames being a game in which symbols had been displayed on each of theslot game areas are rearranged. The controller is operable to (a) placea bet using the bet amount on the slot game on each of one or more slotgame areas, (b) execute the slot games on the one or more slot gameareas on each of which the bet has been placed in (a), except thespecific slot game area, and (c) execute the slot game on the specificslot game area when the slot games executed in (b) have brought anoutcome which has met a prescribed condition.

It is preferable that a bet can be placed, in (a), on the slot game tobe executed on the specific slot game area.

It is preferable that the slot game areas except the specific slot gamearea are constituted by a liquid crystal display panel and the specificslot game area is constituted by mechanical reels.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a playing method of aslot machine for playing slot games on slot game areas including aspecific slot game area. Each of the slot game is a game in whichsymbols had been displayed on a slot game area are rearranged. Themethod comprises: (a) executing the slot games on one or more of theslot game areas except the specific slot game area, and (d) executingthe slot game on the specific slot game area when the slot gamesexecuted in (a) have brought an outcome which has met a prescribedcondition.

It is preferable that the slot games executed by (a) are executed on allof the slot game areas except the specific slot game area.

It is preferable that the slot games executed on the slot game areasexcept the specific slot game area are displayed on a liquid crystaldisplay panel, and the slot game executed on the specific slot game isdisplayed by mechanical reels.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a playing method of aslot machine for playing slot games on slot game areas including aspecific slot game area. Each of the slot game is a game in whichsymbols had been displayed on a slot game area are rearranged. Themethod comprises: (a) inputting a bet amount, (b) placing a bet usingthe bet amount on the slot game on each of one or more slot game areas,(c) executing the slot games on the one or more slot game areas on eachof which the bet has been placed in (b), except the specific slot gamearea, and (d) executing the slot game on the specific slot game areawhen the slot games executed in (c) have brought an outcome which hasmet a prescribed condition.

It is preferable that a bet can be placed, in (b), on the slot game tobe executed on the specific slot game area.

It is preferable that the slot games executed on the slot game areasexcept the specific slot game area are displayed on a liquid crystaldisplay panel, and the slot game executed on the specific slot game isdisplayed by mechanical reels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing eleven slot game areasdisplayed on a lower display in first to third embodiments of a slotmachine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a backside perspective view of an LCD panel in the slotmachine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is front side exploded perspective view of the LCD panel;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the slot machineof the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (slot gameexecution processing) in the slot machine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (executionprocessing for slot games on areas A2 to A11) in the slot machine of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bonus gamestarting processing) in the slot machine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bonus gameexecution processing) in the slot machine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bet processing)in the slot machine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bet processing[alternate example]) in the slot machine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (executionprocessing for slot game on area A1) in the slot machine of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a central slot game area inthe slot machine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing one of the slot game areasother than the central slot game area;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a payline on the slot gamearea;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a payout table for slot games;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the slot game areas displayedon the LCD panel;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the slot game areas displayedon the LCD panel;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between betamounts and bet areas in the slot machine of the first embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the slot machineof the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (slot gameexecution processing) in the slot machine of the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a backside perspective view of an LCD panel in the slotmachine of the third embodiment;

FIG. 25 is front side exploded perspective view of the LCD panel;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the slot machineof the third embodiment; and

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Characteristics of a first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1,eleven slot game areas A1 to A11 are provided on a lower display 16(corresponding to the “display” in claims). A slot game is executed ineach of the slot game areas A1 to A11.

The slot game areas A1 to A11 include one large slot game area A1(corresponding to a “specific slot game area” in claims) in the centerand ten small slot game areas A2 to A11 arranged therearound.

Display areas of three rows by three columns are provided in therespective slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central slot game areaA1. A credit(s) (corresponding to the “gaming media”) is bet by aninsertion of a medal(s) or pressing of a bet switch 25. Symbolsdisplayed (arranged) in the display areas are scrolled when a startswitch 27 has been pressed and then the symbols stop (rearranged) ineach of the display areas. In this manner, the slot game is executed ineach of the slot game areas A2 to A11.

In the slot game executed in each of the slot game areas A2 to A11except the central slot game area A1, up to three credits can be bet andthe number of activated paylines increases as a bet amount increases ineach slot game.

On the other hand, display areas of one row by three columns areprovided on the central slot game area A1. On the slot game area A1, thesymbols displayed (arranged) in each of the display areas are scrolledwhen a prescribed condition has been met in the slot games executed onthe slot game areas A2 to A11 and then the symbols stop (rearranged) ineach of the display areas. In this manner, the slot game is executed onthe slot game area A1.

In addition, since the display areas on the central slot game area A1 isconfigured with one row by three columns, the central slot game area A1has only one payline. As a result, only one credit can be bet on theslot game executed on the central slot game area A1.

The surrounding ten slot game areas A2 to A11 are displayed on an LCDpanel 17 provided in the lower display 16. The configuration of the LCDpanel 17 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

The central slot game area A1 is displayed by three mechanical spinningreels 3A to 3C arranged behind in a center area of the LCD panel 17.Each of the reels 3A to 3C is spun by each of stepping motors 45A to 45C(see FIG. 5). A plurality of symbols is disposed on a peripheral surfaceof each of the reels 3A to 3C with at some intervals. It is possible forthe player to visually recognize part of the peripheral surface of eachof the reels 3A to 3C through a constantly transmissive area (slot gamearea A1) in the center of the LCD panel 17.

The lower display 16 on which the slot game areas A1 to A11 aredisplayed is arranged in a center of a front face of a slot machine 10.In the slot machine 10, a bet can be placed on each of the slot gameareas A1 to A11 when a medal(s) is inserted into a medal insertion slot21 provided below the lower display 16 (or abet may be placed withinternally stored credits by the pressing of the bet switch 25). Theplayer can select (activate) the slot game areas A1 to A11 to be bet(activated) arbitrarily. In other words, the player can select (activatethe slot game areas A1 to A11 on which games are executed with a betplaced. For example, it is possible for the player to activate each ofthe slot game areas A1 to A11 by touching it. The operation of touchingthe slot game areas A1 to A11 can be detected by a touch screen 72provided on a surface of the LCD panel 17.

For example, one bet is placed on the slot game area A1 when the playerinserts one medal into the medal insertion slot 21 after touching theslot game area A1. And then, one more credit bet is placed on the slotgame area A1 when the second medal is inserted further. However, a betis placed preferentially on the slot game areas A2 to A11 on which abonus game is being executed. This will be further described in detaillater with reference to FIG. 19. In addition, as described above, onlyone bet can be placed on the central slot game area A1.

It may also be possible that the player previously selects (activates) aslot game area(s) by touching the game area(s) and then places a bet(s)on the activated slot game area(s) randomly by inserting a medal(s).

After a bet is placed on the slot game, a payout (payout of a medal(s),or addition of credits) is provided according to the bet amount and awinning combination when the winning combination is achieved on thepayline in the slot game on each of activated slot game areas A2 to A11except the central slot game area A1.

In addition, the slot game is executed on the central slot game area A1only when the slot game on any of the activated slot game areas A2 toA11 except the central slot game area A1 have met a prescribedcondition. The prescribed condition is, for example, a case where awinning combination is not achieved on any of the slot game areas A2 toA11. Alternatively, it may also be possible to regard that theprescribed condition is met when a winning combination is achieved on apayline on any of the slot game areas A2 to A11. It is obviouslypossible to regard that the prescribed condition is met when a winningcombination is achieved in the predetermined number or more (forexample, two or more) of slot games on the slot game areas A2 to A11.

Further, it may also be possible to regard that the prescribed conditionis met only when a winning combination is achieved on any of theactivated slot game areas A2 to A11. Alternatively, it may be possibleto regard that the prescribed condition is met when a winningcombination is achieved on any of the slot game areas A2 to A11regardless of activation.

Then, a payout is provided to the player in case where a bet was placedon the central slot game area A1 and then the slot game on the centralslot game area A1 has brought the winning combination. The payout may bea payout of actual medals or may be added to the internally storedcredits.

In the present embodiment, a bet is placed on the slot game areas A1 toA11 by the insertion of a medal(s), however, a bet may be placed using acoin, bill, bar coded ticket, etc. In addition, in the presentembodiment, the symbols are scrolled and then stopped again in the slotgame on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central slotgame area A1. However, the slot game on each of the slot game areas A2to A11 is not limited to that in which the symbols are scrolled. Forexample, the symbols may be successively switched over in each of thedisplay areas and then stopped.

Further, in the present embodiment, a maximum bet amount is set to threeon the slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central slot game area A1.However, the maximum bet amount is not limited to this. If two or morerows of the display areas are provided on the central slot game area A1,the number of activated paylines can be increased according to a betamount.

Next, a configuration of the slot machine 10 of the present embodimentwill be described. The slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11 and a topbox 12 provided on top of the cabinet 11, as shown in FIG. 2. Thecabinet 11 has a main door 13. An upper display 33 is provided on thefront of the top box 12 facing the player. The lower display 16 isdisposed on the front of the cabinet 11 facing the player. Variouscomponent devices are disposed within the cabinet 11, such as acontroller 40 (see FIG. 5) for electrically controlling the slot machine10 and a hopper 44 (see FIG. 5) for controlling the insertion, pooling,and payout of medals.

In the present embodiment, medals are used for gaming media at gameplay. However, gaming media is not limited to medals only. For example,coins, tokens, electronic money, or other equivalent electronic valueinformation may be also used as gaming media.

The main door 13 is attached to the cabinet 11 so that it can be openedand closed. The lower display 16 is disposed on an upper portion of themain door 13. As will be described in detail later, the eleven slot gameareas A1 to A11 are provided on the lower display 16 and independentslot games are executed on the slot game areas A1 to A11, respectively.In the present embodiment, the number of slot game areas is eleven.However, two or more slot game areas including at least one slot gamearea constituted by mechanical reels and at least one slot game areaconstituted by an LCD may be provided.

Three display areas with one row by three columns are provided on thecentral slot game area A1. Nine display areas with three rows by threecolumns are provided on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11. Variouskinds of symbols can be displayed in each of the display areas. In otherwords, symbols displayed (arranged) in each of the display areas arescrolled when a slot game has been started and then stopped (rearranged)after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, a payout is awarded to aplayer according to a symbol combination that stops in the display areason activated slot game areas A1 to A11.

The touch screen 72 is provided on a surface of the lower display 16.The touch screen 72 is partitioned into areas in a matrix. Some of thepartitioned areas correspond to the ten slot game areas A2 to A11displayed and the central slot game area A1 on the LCD panel 17. Thecentral slot game area A1 can be visually recognized through a centralarea of the LCD panel 17. In other words, a touched position can bedetected by the touch screen 72 when the player touches each of the slotgame areas A1 to A11.

A payout counter 48 for displaying a payout amount is provided in abottom left area of the lower display 16 (LCD panel 17).

The medal insertion slot 21 and a bill validator 22 are disposed belowthe lower display 16. The bill validator 22 validates bills and acceptsvalid ones. Various operational switches are disposed nearby the medalinsertion slot 21 and the bill validator 22.

A cash-out switch 23, a max-bet switch 24, a bet switch 25, aspin/repeat-bet switch 26, and the start switch 27 are provided as theoperational switches.

The bet switch 25 is a switch for determining a bet amount on each slotgame on the slot game areas A1 to A11. As will be described later, eachtime the bet switch 25 is pressed, one bet is placed on a predeterminedslot game area. The slot game area on which a bet has been placed isactivated and a payout is provided to the player when a winning symbolcombination has been achieved on an activated payline in the slot game.

The spin/repeat-bet switch 26 is a switch for placing a bet againwithout changing a bet amount placed by the bet switch 25 (and themax-bet switch 24) on the previous game on each of the slot game areasA1 to A11 and starting a slot game on each of the slot game areas A2 toA11.

The start switch 27 is a switch for starting a slot game on each of theslot game areas A2 to A11 after bets have been placed on desired slotgame areas. A slot game on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 isstarted after a medal(s) was inserted into the medal insertion slot 21or a bet(s) was placed by the bet switch 25 and the start switch 27 hasbeen pressed.

The cash-out switch 23 is a switch for cashing out awarded medals(internally stored credits). The medals are cashed out from a medalcash-out chute 28 opened in the front lower part of the main door 13 andpooled on a medal tray 18.

The max-bet switch 24 is a switch for betting the maximum bet amount(e.g., thirty-one credits) that can be placed on a single game play byone pressing.

A foot display 34 is disposed on the lower front of the main door 13.Various images relating to the game of the slot machine 10 (such ascharacters of the slot machine 10) are displayed on the foot display 34.

Lamps 47 are provided on both sides of the foot display 34 andilluminate in a preset illuminating pattern. The medal cash-out chute 28is provided below the foot display 34.

The upper LCD 33 is disposed on the front of the top box 12. The upperdisplay 33 has a display panel and displays a payout table indicatingeach payout amount for each symbol combination etc.

Speakers 29 are provided on the top box 12. A ticket printer 35, a cardreader 36, a data display 37, and a keypad 38 are disposed below theupper display 33. The ticket printer 35 prints out a ticket 39 includingdata such as a credit amount, time and date, identification number ofthe slot machine 10 printed thereon as a bar code.

The player can play a game at another slot machine by using thebar-coded ticket 39, and exchange the bar-coded ticket 39 for bills at apredetermined site in an amusement facility (e.g., a cashier in thecasino).

A smart card can be inserted into the card reader 36 and the card reader36 reads data from the inserted smart card and writes data onto thesmart card. The smart card is carried by the player and stores theplayer's identification data and gaming history data of the games playedby the player.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electric configuration of thecontroller 40 and various components connected to the controller 40,which are provided within the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment.The controller 40 of the slot machine 10 is a microcomputer and includesinterface circuits 102, an input/output (I/O) bus 104, a CPU 106, a ROM108, a RAM 110, a signal communication interface (I/F) circuit 111, arandom number generator (RNG) 112, a motor drive circuit 120, a speakerdrive circuit 122, a hopper drive circuit 124, a display control circuit128, and a display controller 140.

The interface circuits 102 are connected to the I/O bus 104. The I/O bus104 inputs/outputs data signals and address signals to/from the CPU 106.

The start switch 27 is connected to the interface circuits 102. A startsignal output from the start switch 27 is transmitted to the CPU 106 viathe I/O bus 104, after having been converted into a predetermined signalby the interface circuits 102.

The bet switch 25, the max-bet switch 24, the spin/repeat-bet switch 26,and the cash-out switch 23 are connected to the interface circuits 102.A switching signal output from each of the switches 23 to 26 istransmitted to the CPU 106 via the I/O bus 104, after having beenconverted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits 102.

A medal sensor 43 is connected to the interface circuits 102. The medalsensor 43 detects a medal(s), which has been inserted into the medalinsertion slot 21. The medal sensor 43 is provided inside the medalinsertion slot 21. The detection signal output from the medal sensor 43is transmitted to the CPU 106 via the I/O bus 104, after having beenconverted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits 102.

The touch screen 72 described above is connected to the interfacecircuits 102. The touch screen 72 detects the touch operation onto theslot game areas A1 to A11 displayed on the lower display 16 by a player.The touch screen 72 is provided on the surface of the LCD panel 17. Aposition signal output from the touch screen 72 is transmitted to theCPU 106 via the I/O bus 104, after having been converted into apredetermined signal by the interface circuits 102.

The ROM 108 storing system programs and the RAM 110 storing various dataare connected to the I/O bus 104. The RNG 112, the signal communicationI/F circuit 111, the motor drive circuit 120, the display controller140, the hopper drive circuit 124, the speaker drive circuit 122, andthe display control circuit 128 are connected to the I/O bus 104.

The CPU 106, triggered by receiving the start signal from the startswitch 27, reads a game execution program among the system programsstored in the ROM 108 and executes a game. The game execution program isa program for executing the slot game in each of the slot game areas A1to A11 on the lower display 16 using the motor drive circuit 120 and thedisplay controller 140.

In other words, the game execution program is programmed so as toexecute a slot game in which symbols are rearranged after scrolling ineach of the slot game areas A1 to A11 and a payout is provided when awinning combination is achieved on an activated payline.

The signal communication I/F circuit 111, which is connected to a hallserver etc., transmits gaming history data etc. of the slot machine 10to the hall server. The signal communication I/F circuit 111 receivesvarious data transmitted from the hall server.

The RNG 112 generates a random number for determining whether or not toachieve a winning combination in the slot game on each of the slot gameareas A1 to A11.

The display control circuit 128 controls displaying a payout amount onthe payout counter 48 provided at the lower left area of the lowerdisplay 16 (LCD panel 17).

The speaker drive circuit 122 outputs sound data to the speakers 29. Inother words, the CPU 106 reads the sound data stored in the ROM 108 andtransmits the sound data to the speaker drive circuit 122 via the I/Obus 104. In this manner, predetermined sound effects are generated viathe speakers 29.

The hopper drive circuit 124 outputs a cash-out signal to the hopper 44when providing a cash-out. In other words, the CPU 106 outputs a drivesignal to the hopper drive circuit 124 via the I/O bus 104 whenreceiving the cash-out signal from the cash-out switch 23. As a result,the hopper 44 cashes out medals equivalent to the credits stored at thattime in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 110.

The motor drive circuit 120 controls the execution of the slot game bythe reels 3A to 3C on the central slot game area A1 of the lower display16. The motor drive circuit 120 is configured by including a reel CPU, areel ROM, and a reel RAM internally. In detail, the CPU 106 generates acommand signal relating to a symbol display according to status and anoutcome of the slot game on the slot game area A1 and outputs thecommand signal to the motor drive circuit 120 via the I/O bus 104. Uponreceipt of the command signal, the motor drive circuit 120 generatesdrive signals for the stepping motors 45A to 45C, which spins or stopseach of the reels 3A to 3C based on the command signal. And then, themotor drive circuit 120 outputs the drive signals to the stepping motors45A to 45C, respectively. In this manner, the slot game is executed(predetermined images are displayed) on the slot game area A1.

The display controller 140 controls the execution of the slot game oneach of the slot game areas A2 to A11 around the slot game area A1. Indetail, the CPU 106 generates an image display signal according tostatus and an outcome of the slot game on each of the slot game areas A2to A11 and outputs the image display signal to the display controller140 via the I/O bus 104. Upon receipt of the image display signal, thedisplay controller 140 generates a drive signal of the LCD panel 17based on the image display signal. And then, the display controller 140outputs the drive signal to the LCD panel 17. In this manner, the slotgame is executed (predetermined images are displayed) on each of theslot game areas A2 to A11.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the LCD panel 17 is viewed frombehind. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view when viewed from thefront. Some parts shown in FIG. 3 are omitted (not shown) in FIG. 4.

The LCD panel 17 has a shape and size corresponding to the lower display16. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the LCD panel 17 is constituted byoverlapping a liquid crystal unit 74, a light guide plate 75, and areflective film 76 in the order from the front side of the slot machine10.

The liquid crystal unit 74 is constituted by filling liquid crystalbetween a transparent substrate, such as a glass plate on which a thinfilm transistor layer is formed, and another transparent substrate inopposition thereto. The liquid crystal unit 74 changes colorless in aninactive state, in which no image is displayed. In the inactive state,the transmitted light can be visually recognized from the outside. Thecentral area of the liquid crystal unit 74 is always inactive(transmissive) in order for a player to visually recognize the reels 3Ato 3C.

The light guide plate 75 guides light from fluorescent tubes 77 a, 77 bto the inside of the liquid crystal unit 74 to illuminate the liquidcrystal unit 74 from the backside. Specifically, the light guide plate75 is a transparent member having a thickness of about 2 cm and made ofacryl resin etc. The light guide plate 75 is made of a material havinglight guiding feature. The fluorescent tubes 77 a, 77 b are attached onupper and lower ends of the light guide plate 75 by lamp holders 79 a to79 d.

The reflective film 76 has a transparent film as a substrate, such as apolyester film etc. The reflective film 76 has a non-reflective area 76Band a reflective area 76A therearound. The shape, position, and size ofthe non-reflective area 76B are the same as those of the central slotgame area A1. The non-reflective area 76B is a light transmissive planemade of the substrate. The reflective area 76A is made by depositing athin aluminum or silver layer on the substrate.

The reflective area 76A of the reflective film 76 partially reflectslight introduced into the inside of the light guide plate 75 from theupper and lower ends thereof. And then, the reflective area 76A outputsthe light frontward. The reflective area 76A prevents light from leakingbackward and effectively outputs the light frontward.

Fluorescent tubes 78 a, 78 b are disposed behind the reflective film 76with lamp holders 79 e to 79 h. The fluorescent tubes 78 a, 78 billuminate the periphery of the reels 3A to 3C from above and beneath.

An outer plate 73 is disposed in front of the liquid crystal unit 74.The touch screen 72 is arranged on the surface of the outer plate 73.The touch screen 72 detects player's touch operations etc. The touchscreen 72 is made of a transmissive member. The outer plate 73 is madeof a transmissive member and images, such as patterns, characters, etc.,are drawn on its surface. The images are drawn on the areas outside theslot game areas A1 to A11. The player can see the images drawn on theareas outside the areas A1 to A11 when playing with the slot machine 10.The outer plate 73 may be omissible.

Next, images displayed on the slot game areas A1 to A11 are explainedwith reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. FIG. 13 is a display example ofthe central slot game area A1 and FIG. 14 is a display example of theslot game areas A2 to A11.

As shown in FIG. 13, three (one row by three column) display areas q1 toq3 are provided on the central slot game area A1. Symbols are scrolledby the reels 3A to 3C in each of the display areas q1 to q3 when theslot game is started.

Then, a payout is awarded when a winning combination is achieved in thedisplay areas q1 to q3 of the central slot game area A1.

As shown in FIG. 14, nine (three row by three column) display areas q11to q33 are provided on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11. Symbolsare scrolled in each of the columns of the display areas q11 to q33 onthe LCD panel 17 when the slot game is started on each of the slot gameareas A2 to A11.

Five LEDs 53 a to 53 e are provided on the left side of the displayareas q11 to q33 of each of the slot game areas A2 to A11. The LEDs 53 ato 53 e notify the activated payline(s) on each of the slot game areasA2 to A11. As shown in FIG. 15, five paylines are prepared on thedisplay areas q11 to q33. A horizontal line in the middle row is L1, ahorizontal line in the upper row is L2, a horizontal line in the lowerrow is L3, a diagonal line going down to the right is L4, and a diagonalline going up to the right is L5.

The LEDs 53 a to 53 e light up according to a bet amount. In detail,only the LED 53 a lights up when one credit is bet. The LEDs 53 b, 53 c,in addition to the LED 53 a, light up when two credits are bet. The LEDs53 d, 53 e, in addition to the LEDs 53 a to 53 c, light up when threecredits are bet.

It is indicated that the line L1 has been activated, when the LED 53 alights up. In addition, it is indicated that the lines L2, L3 have beenactivated, respectively, when the LEDs 53 b, 53 c light up. Furthermore,it is indicated that the lines L4, L5 have been activated, respectively,when the LEDs 53 d, 53 e light up. As a result, only the line L1 isactivated when one credit has been bet, the lines L1, L2, and L3 areactivated when two credits have been bet, and all of the lines L1 to L5are activated when three credits have been bet. Then, a payout isawarded according to a winning combination(s) when the winningcombination(s) is achieved on the activated payline(s).

An activation indicating frame 51 is provided on each peripheral edge ofthe slot game areas A1 to A11. Each of the activation indicating frames51 lights up on the LCD panel 17 for the activated slot game areas A1 toA11. The activation indicating frame 51 lights up on the slot game areasA1 to A11 on which at least one credit is bet. It is possible for aplayer to easily recognize the activated slot game area(s) by theactivation indicating frame(s) 51.

A bonus game indicator 52 is provided above each of the slot game areasA2 to A11 except the central slot game area A1. The bonus game indicator52 of each of the slot game area A2 to A11 lights up on the LCD panel 17during a bonus game (to be described later). It is possible for a playerto easily recognize the slot game area(s) during the bonus game by thebonus game indicator(s) 52.

FIG. 16 shows winning combinations in the slot game. As shown in FIG.16, the bonus game is started on the central slot game area A1 whenthree 7's are rearranged on the activated payline (e.g., the three 7'sare rearranged on the line L1 (FIG. 15) when the line L1 has beenactivated). In addition, a 15-credits payout is awarded to the playerwhen three APPLEs are rearranged, a 10-credits payout is awarded whenthree BELLs are rearranged, and a 2-credits payout is awarded when a“CHERRY” is rearranged on the leftmost of the activated payline.

Next, an operation of the slot machine of the present embodiment isdescribed with reference to flowcharts shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 12. FIG.6 is a flowchart showing slot game execution processing. The slot gameexecution processing is executed by the CPU 106 (FIG. 5) according tothe game execution programs stored in the ROM 108.

First, the CPU 106 executes area activation receiving processing forreceiving a selection for activating slot game areas A1 to A11 (stepS11). In the area activation receiving processing, the slot game areasA1 to A11, which have been touched by the player to activate, aredetected by the touch screen 72. Then, the CPU 106 activates the touchedslot game areas A1 to A11 (step S12). The CPU 106 lights up theactivation indicating frame 51 on the peripheral edge of the activatedslot game area(s) to notify the player of the activated slot gamearea(s).

For example, when the slot game areas A1 to A6 has been activated, theactivation indicating frames 51 of the activated slot game areas A1 toA6 are lit up and the activation indicating frames 51 of thenon-activated slot game areas A7 to A11 are not lit up, as shown in FIG.17.

Next, the CPU 106 executes bet amount receiving processing for receivinga total bet amount on the slot games on the activated slot game areas A1to A11 (step S13). In the bet amount receiving processing, pressing ofthe bet switch 25 by the player is detected and the bet total amount iscalculated. Then, the CPU 106 subtracts the bet amount having been inputfrom an internally stored credit amount (step S14). For example, if thestored credit amount is 50 credits and a 30-credits bet amount isreceived, the stored credit amount will be 20 credits.

It is also possible to place a bet on each slot game on the activatedslot game areas A1 to A11 by inserting a medal(s) into the medalinsertion slot 21. In this case, the CPU 106 recognizes the number ofinserted medals as a bet amount. In this case, it is not needed toexecute subtraction from the stored credit amount in step S14.

Next, the CPU 106 executes bet processing for placing a bet on each ofthe slot games on the activated slot game areas A1 to A11 (step S15).The bet processing will be described later in detail with reference toFIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

After step S15, the CPU 106 determines a payline(s) to be activatedaccording to the bet amount for each of the slot game areas A2 to A11except the central slot game area A1 (step S16). In this processing, asdescribed above, the line L1 is activated when one credit is bet on eachof the slot games on the slot game areas A2 to A11, the lines L1, L2,and L3 are activated when two credits are bet, and all of the lines L1to L5 are activated when three credits are bet (see FIG. 15).

Although a detailed description will be given later, it is also possibleto place a bet randomly on each slot game on the slot game areas A1 toA11. In this case, it is not limited that a bet is placed on each of theslot game areas A1 to A11 in numerical order of the areas. For example,when the slot game areas A1, A3, A6, A8, and A9 are activated, onecredit is bet, respectively, in the order of A8, A3, A9, A1, and A6.

Then, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the start switch 27 has beenpressed (step S17). The slot game is executed on each of the slot gameareas A2 to A11 except the central slot game area A1 when the startswitch 27 has been pressed (step S18).

Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not an outcome of the slot gameson the slot game areas A2 to A11 has met a prescribed condition,respectively (step S19). Here, it is determined that the prescribedcondition has been met when a winning combination is achieved on anactivated paylines in at least one slot game (including the bonus game)on activated slot game areas A2 to A11. The present processing ends whenthe prescribed condition has not been met (step S19: NO). On the otherhand, the CPU 106 executes the bonus game on the central slot game areaA1 (step S19-1) when the prescribed condition has been met (step S19:YES). Then, the present processing ends.

Next, a processing procedure of the slot game executed on each of theactivated slot game areas A2 to A11 is described with reference to FIG.7. In the following description, a slot game in an activated slot gamearea A6 is described as an example. In the present embodiment, a slotgame(s) is executed also in a non-activated slot game area(s). However,no payout is awarded even if a winning combination is achieved and atrigger combination does not cause a trigger in respect to thenon-activated slot game area(s).

First, the CPU 106 determines whether a bonus flag of the slot game areaA6 is “0” or “1” (step S21). The default value of the bonus flag is “0”and set to “1” when the bonus game is to be executed.

The CPU 106 determines symbols to be stopped (hereinafter, simplyreferred to as stop symbols) in each of the display areas q11 to q33 onthe slot game area A6 when the bonus flag is “0” (step S23). By thisprocessing, symbols (“7”, “BELL”, “APPLE”, etc.) to be displayed in eachof the display areas q11 to q33 are determined.

Next, the CPU 106 scrolls symbols in the display areas q11 to q33 (stepS24). Then, the symbols stop in each of the display areas q11 to q33after a predetermined time has elapsed. The displayed symbols at thistime are the stop symbols determined in step S23.

Then, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a bonus trigger combination(three 7's: FIG. 16) is rearranged on any of the activated paylines(step S25). For example, it is determined whether or not the bonustrigger combination is achieved on any of the paylines L1 to L5 (FIG.15) when all of the lines L1 to L5 are activated.

Then, the CPU 106 executes bonus game starting processing (step S26)when the bonus trigger combination is achieved on any of the paylines L1to L5. The bonus game starting processing will be described later withFIG. 8.

On the other hand, the CPU 106 determines whether or not one of winningcombinations has been achieved on any of the activated paylines (stepS27) when the bonus trigger combination has not been achieved. A payoutis awarded according to a winning combination (step S28) when thewinning combination has been achieved. On the other hand, the CPU 106does not award a payout when a winning combination has not beenachieved. And then the CPU 16 ends the slot game. It may be possible tocash-out a medal(s) equivalent to a payout amount through the cash-outchute 28 or to add a credit(s) equivalent to a payout amount to theinternally stored credits, when a payout is to be awarded.

Next, the bonus game starting processing is described with reference tothe flowchart in FIG. 8. The bonus flag is set to “1” (step S31) whenthe bonus trigger is achieved in step S25 in FIG. 7. At this time, thebonus game indicator 52 of the slot game area A6 lights up as shown inFIG. 19 to notify the player that the bonus game is being executed onthe slot game area A6.

Then, the CPU 106 determines the number of the bonus games T (step S32).The number of games T is, for example, fifty. The number of games T maybe fixed or determined each time randomly by the CPU 106. The number ofgames T is stored in the RAM 110.

Next, a payout for the bonus trigger is awarded (step S33). For example,a 15-credits (15-medals) payout is awarded in the present embodiment.Then, the present processing is ended.

Bonus game execution processing is executed (step S22) for the next slotgame on the slot game area A6 after step 21 in FIG. 7, when the bonusflag has been set to “1” in the bonus game start processing (step S31 inFIG. 8).

The bonus game execution processing is described below with reference tothe flowchart in FIG. 9. The CPU 106 executes processing for determiningstop symbols (step S41) when the bonus game execution is started. Thisprocessing is the same processing as that in step S23 in FIG. 7. In stepS41, three 7's are not rearranged on the payline, but the stop symbolsare determined so that a winning combination is achieved with a highprobability. In other words, a winning combination (three BELLs, threeAPPLEs or at least one CHERRY on the leftmost in FIG. 16) is achieved onan activated payline with higher probability in the bonus game than inthe normal game.

Next, the CPU 106 scrolls the symbols in the display areas q11 to q33(step S42). This processing is the same as that in step S24 in FIG. 7.Then, the symbols stop in each of the display areas q11 to q33 after apredetermined time has elapsed. At this time, the displayed symbols arethe stop symbols determined in step S41.

Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a winning combination hasbeen achieved on the activated payline (step S43). A payout is awardedaccording to a winning combination (step S44) when the winningcombination has been achieved. On the other hand, the CPU 106 does notaward a payout when a winning combination has not been achieved.

Then, the CPU 106 decrements the number of games T stored in the RAM 110(step S45).

Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the number of games T is “0”(step S46). The bonus flag is reset to “0” when “T=0” (step S47). Inother words, the bonus flag is reset and the bonus game is ended whenthe predetermined number of bonus games has been expended.

Next, the bet processing (step S15 in FIG. 6) is described withreference to a flowchart in FIG. 10 and a table in FIG. 19.

The CPU 106 first places a bet preferentially on the bonus slot game(s)on the activated slot game areas A2 to A11 (step S51) after the betswitch 25 has been pressed or a medal(s) has been inserted into themedal insertion slot 21. After that, a bet is placed sequentially on theslot game on the activated slot game areas A1 to A11 in ascending orderof the area numbers (step S52).

For example, when all of the slot game areas A1 to A11 are activated andthe bonus game is being played on the slot game area A8, the first tothird credits are bet on the bonus slot game on the slot game area A8 asshown in FIG. 19. Then the fourth credit is bet on the slot game on theslot game area A1 and the fifth credit is bet on the slot game on theslot game area A2. One bet is placed one by one on the remaining slotgame areas A2-A7 and A9-A11 (except the slot game area A8 and thecentral slot game area A1) according to the above procedure. Then, theabove procedure is repeated to place second and third bets. In thismanner, thirty-one credits can be expended to place a 1-credit bet onthe central slot game area A1 and a 3-credits bet on each of the otherslot game areas A2 to A11, respectively.

An example has been described above, in which the number of activatedslot game areas during the bonus game is one (slot game area A8).However, a 3-credits bet is placed preferentially on the bonus slotgames on each of the activated slot game areas when the bonus games areexecuted simultaneously on two or more activated slot game areas. Andthen, one bet is placed sequentially on the normal slot game on each ofthe activated slot game areas.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of another example of the bet processing. In thisprocessing, the CPU 106 first places a bet preferentially on the bonusslot game(s) on the activated slot game areas A2 to A11 (step S61) afterthe bet switch 25 has been pressed or a medal(s) has been inserted, asin the case shown in FIG. 10. After that, a bet is placed sequentiallyon the slot game on the activated slot game areas A1 to A11 in randomorder (step S62). At this time, the bet order for the slot games on theslot game areas A1 to A11, which are not during the bonus game, isdetermined randomly by the CPU 106 at each game play.

As obvious from the above description of the present embodiment, themedal insertion slot 21 and the bet switch 25 correspond to the “inputdevice” in claims.

Next, a bonus game processing procedure executed on the activatedcentral slot game area A1 is described with reference to FIG. 12.

First, the CPU 106 determines stop symbols in each of the display areasq1 to q3 on the slot game area A1 (step S71). By this processing,symbols (“7”, “BELL”, “APPLE”, etc.) to be displayed in each of thedisplay areas q1 to q3 are determined.

Next, the CPU 106 scrolls the symbols in each of the display areas q1 toq3 (step S72). Then, the symbols stop in each of the display areas q1 toq3 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Here, the displayed symbolsare the stop symbols determined in step S71.

Then, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a winning combination hasbeen rearranged (step S73). A payout is awarded according to a winningcombination (step S74) when the winning combination has been rearranged.On the other hand, the CPU 106 does not award a payout and ends thebonus game when a winning combination has not been rearranged. It may bepossible to cash-out a medal(s) equivalent to a payout amount throughthe cash-out chute 28 or to add a credit(s) equivalent to a payoutamount to the internally stored credits, when a payout is to be awarded.

In this manner, the slot game areas A1 to A11 to be activated can beselected arbitrarily by the touch operation onto the slot game areas A1to A11 on the lower display 16 in the slot machine 10 of the presentembodiment. And then, the slot game is executed after a bet(s) has beenplaced on the activated slot game areas A2 to A11 (the normal slot gameis not executed on the slot game area A1).

The bonus game is executed by the reels 3A to 3C on the central slotgame area A1 when a winning combination is achieved on at least one ofthe activated slot game areas A2 to A11, on which a bet has been placed.

As a result, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the slotgames on the slot game areas A2 to A11 on the LCD panel 17 and the slotgame (bonus game) on the slot game area A1 by the reels 3A to 3C can beexecuted continuously in a single game play if a winning combination isachieved on at least one of the activated slot game areas A2 to A11, onwhich a bet has been placed.

Since a player can arbitrarily select the slot game areas A1 to A11 tobe activated by the touch operation, the player can freely select theslot game areas A1 to A11 to play the slot game(s), on which a bet is tobe placed.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described above, in whichthe slot game area(s) A1 to A11 on which a bet(s) is to be placed ispreliminarily selected. Then, a total bet amount is input anddistributed on the selected (activated) slot game area(s) A1 to A11.However, it may also be possible that a total bet amount ispreliminarily input and then the slot game area(s) A1 to A11 on which abet(s) is to be placed is selected. Then, the bet amount is distributedon the selected slot game area(s) A1 to A11.

A slot machine of a second embodiment, which follows this procedure,will be described below with reference to FIG. 20 to FIG. 22.

As shown in FIG. 20, a slot machine 10A of the present embodimentdiffers from the slot machine 10 (FIG. 2) of the first embodimentdescribed above in that a fix switch 30 and a selectable area counter 49at the bottom right of the lower display 16 (the LCD panel 17) areadded.

The fix switch 30 is one of the various operational switches disposednearby the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 21 and the billvalidator 22. The fix switch 30 is a switch for fixing a slot gamearea(s) to be activated among the slot game areas A1 to A11. A player isno longer able to select a slot game area(s) for activation the touchoperation after pressing the fix switch 30.

The selectable area counter 49 displays the maximum number of slot gameareas A1 to A11 that are selectable to be activated. If a bet amount,which has been input by pressing of the bet switch 25 or inserting amedal(s) into the medal insertion slot 21, is ten or less, the input betamount is displayed as is in the selectable area counter 49. If theinput bet amount is equal to or greater than eleven, a value “11” isdisplayed in the selectable area counter 49.

In the slot machine 10A of the present embodiment, the activationindicating frame(s) 51 of the selected slot game area(s) A1 to A11 isblinked between having been selected (activated) by touch operation andbeing fixed by the fix switch 30. Since the activation indicatingframe(s) 51 is blinked, the player can easily recognize the slot gamearea(s) A1 to A11 on which a bet(s) is about to be placed.

As shown in a block diagram of FIG. 21, the slot machine 10A of thepresent embodiment differs from the slot machine 10 (FIG. 5) of thefirst embodiment described above in that the fix switch 30 is connectedto the interface circuits 102 and the selectable area counter 49 isconnected to the display control circuit 128.

In addition to the differences in outside appearance and electricalconfiguration described above, the slot machine 10A of the presentembodiment differs from the slot machine 10 of the first embodiment inpart of the processing executed by the CPU 106. The slot game executionprocessing of the present embodiment will be described below (inparticular, the part different from that of the first embodiment).

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing slot game execution processing that theCPU 106 of the slot machine of the present embodiment executes accordingto the game execution programs stored in the ROM 108.

First, the CPU 106 executes bet amount receiving processing forreceiving a total bet amount on the slot games on the slot game areas A1to A11 to be activated (step S101). In the bet amount receivingprocessing, pressing of the bet switch 25 by the player is detected andthe total bet amount is calculated. Then, the CPU 106 subtracts the betamount having been input from an internally stored credit amount (stepS102). For example, if the stored credit amount is 50 credits and a20-credits bet amount is received, the stored credit amount will be 30credits.

It is also possible to input a total bet amount by inserting a medal(s)into the medal insertion slot 21. In this case, the CPU 106 recognizesthe number of as a bet amount. In this case, it is not needed to executesubtraction from the stored credit amount in step S102.

Next, the CPU 106 calculates the maximum number of slot game areas A1 toA11 that can be selectable to activate based on the total bet amount anddisplays it on the selectable area counter 49 (step S103). Then, the CPU106 executes area activation receiving processing for receiving aselection for activating the slot game areas A1 to A11 (step S104). Inthe activation receiving processing, the slot game areas A1 to A11,which have been touched by the player, are detected by the touch screen72. The CPU 106 blinks the activation indicating frame 51 on theperipheral edge of the selected slot game area(s) to notify the playerof the selected slot game area(s).

Next, the CPU 106 calculates the maximum number of selectable slot gameareas and displays the calculated number on the selectable area counter49 (step S105). The value on the selectable area counter 49 is reducedby one when one of non-selected slot game areas A1 to A11 has been newlyselected. For example, the calculated maximum number is eleven when thebonus game is not being executed and none of the slot game areas A1 toA11 is selected yet. Here, the value on the selectable area counter 49is reduced to ten when the slot game area A1 is selected for the rightof the bonus game winning. In the downstream bet processing (the contentof the processing is the same as that of the first embodiment), theremay be the case where the bet amount is distributed preferentially(during the execution of the bonus game). For example, three credits canbe expended at once when the slot game area, on which the bonus game isbeing executed, is selected. The calculated maximum number is 11 whenthe bonus game is being executed on one slot game area and none of theslot game areas A1 to A11 is selected yet. Here, the remaining number ofbet amounts becomes eight when the slot game area, on which the bonusgame is being executed, is selected at first. That is, the calculatedmaximum number is eight. In this manner, the CPU 106 calculates themaximum number of selectable slot game areas based on the total betamount and distribution processing in the downstream bet processing.

Subsequently, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the fix switch 30has been pressed (step S106). The CPU 106 determines whether or not thevalue on the selectable area counter 49 is “0” (step S107) when the fixswitch 30 has not been pressed (step S106: NO). The processing returnsto step S104 when the value on the selectable area counter 49 is not “0”(step S107: NO). On the other hand, the processing returns to step S106when the value on the selectable area counter 49 is “0” (step S107:YES). The CPU 106 activates the selected slot game areas A1 to A11 (stepS108) when it is determined that the fix switch 30 has been pressed(step S106: YES). The CPU 106 lights up the activation indicating frame51 on the peripheral edge of the activated slot game area(s) to notifythe player of the activated slot game area(s).

Next, the CPU 106 executes the bet processing for placing a bet on eachof the slot games on the activated slot game areas A1 to A11 (stepS109).

The CPU 106 determines a payline(s) to be activated according to a betamount on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 (step S110) after thebetting processing has finished. Subsequently, the CPU 106 determineswhether or not the start switch 27 has been pressed (step S11). The slotgame is executed on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 (step S112)when the start switch 27 has been pressed (step S111: YES).

Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the outcome of the slotgames on the slot game areas A2 to A11 satisfies a prescribed condition(step S113). Here, it is determined that the prescribed condition hasbeen met if a winning combination has been achieved on the payline inany of the slot games (including the bonus game) on the activated slotgame areas A2 to A11. The present processing ends when the prescribedcondition has not been met (step S113: NO). On the other hand, the CPU106 executes the bonus game on the central slot game area A1 (step S114)when the prescribed condition has been met (step S113: YES). After that,the present processing ends.

Each processing in step S109 to step S114 is the same as that in stepS15 to step S19-1 (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment.

As described above, in the slot machine 10A of the present embodiment,the total bet amount is held after the bet switch 25 has been pressed ora medal(s) has been inserted into the medal insertion slot 21. Then, themaximum number of slot game areas A1 to A11 that can be selectable toactivate is calculated according to the held total bet amount and thendisplayed on the selectable area counter 49.

Then, the slot game areas A1 to A11 are arbitrarily selected by thetouch operation onto the slot game areas A1 to A11 on the lower display16 within the range of the calculated maximum number. The total betamount is distributed on the slot games on the selected slot game areasA1 to A11 (the slot game areas A1 to A11 on which a bet has been placedare activated). Then, the slot game is executed on each of the activatedslot game areas A2 to A11 (the normal slot game is not executed on theslot game area A1).

The bonus game is executed by the reels 3A to 3C on the central slotgame area A1 when a winning combination has been achieved on at leastone of the activated slot game areas A2 to A11 on which a bet wasplaced.

As a result, also in the slot machine 10A of the present embodiment, theslot game on each of the game areas A2 to A11 on the LCD panel 17 andthe slot game (bonus game) on the slot game area A1 by the reels 3A to3C can be executed continuously in a single game play.

In addition, since a player can arbitrarily select the slot game areasA1 to A11 to be activated by the touch operation, the player can freelyselect the slot game areas A1 to A11 to play the slot game(s) on which abet is to be placed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the slot game areas A1 to A11 to beactivated are selected after the total bet amount is determined.Therefore, since the maximum number of slot game areas A1 to A11 whichcan be activated is calculated preliminarily, it is possible to preventa selection of the slot game areas A1 to A11 beyond the calculatedmaximum number.

Since a bet(s) is placed preferentially on the bonus game(s) on the slotgame area(s) A2 to A11, the slot game area(s) A2 to A11 which is to beexpected a larger payout by the bonus game can be activated withoutfail.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the slot game areaA1 corresponding to a “specific slot game area” in claims is constitutedby the mechanical reels 3A to 3C. However, the specific slot game area(slot game area A1) may be constituted by the LCD panel 17 in the samemanner as that for the other slot game areas A2 to A11.

A slot machine of a third embodiment including such a configuration willbe described below with reference to FIG. 23 to FIG. 26.

As shown in FIG. 23, the slot machine 10B of the present embodimentdiffers from the slot machine 10 (FIG. 2) of the first embodimentdescribed above in that the slot game area A1 is configured by the LCDpanel 17 instead of the mechanical reels 3A to 3C.

Because of the above difference, the reflective film 76 of the LCD panel17 has the reflective area 76A extending all over the surface as shownin FIG. 24 and FIG. 25. The reflective film 76 does not have an areacorresponding to the non-reflective area 76B of the first embodiment. Inaddition, the slot machine 10B of the present embodiment does not haveelements corresponding to the fluorescent tubes 78 a, 78 b forilluminating the reels 3A to 3C and the lamp holders 79 e to 79 h of thefirst embodiment.

Further, the slot machine 10B of the present embodiment does not havecomponents corresponding to the stepping motors 45A to 45C for spinningthe reels 3A to 3C and the motor drive circuit 120 of the firstembodiment. Then, the bonus game on the central slot game area A1 of theLCD panel 17 is executed under the control of the display controller 140as the slot game on each of the other slot game areas A2 to A11.Therefore, the center area of the liquid crystal unit 74 is controlledso that it is not in a permanent inactive state but in an active stateaccording to displayed contents.

Except for the above points, the slot machine 10B of the presentembodiment is configured in the same manner as that of the slot machine10 of the first embodiment.

As described above, it is possible to bring the same effect as that inthe slot machine 10 of the first embodiment also in the slot machine 10Bof the present embodiment by substantially the same operation as that inthe slot machine 10 of the first embodiment.

The difference between the slot machine 10B of the present embodimentand the slot machine 10 of the first embodiment can be applied also tothe slot machine 10A of the second embodiment. In other words, it isalso possible to change the slot game area A1 (the specific slot gamearea) of the slot machine 10A of the second embodiment from themechanical reels 3A to 3C to the LCD panel 17.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the slot game area A1corresponding to the “specific slot game area” in claims is arranged inthe center of the lower display 16, surrounded by the other slot gameareas A2 to A11. However, the slot game area A1 (the specific slot gamearea) may be disposed not on the lower display 16 but at anotherdifferent position, independently from the other slot game areas A2 toA11.

For example, as a slot machine 10C of a fourth embodiment shown in FIG.27, the slot game area A1 (the specific slot game area) may be disposedon the upper display 33. The slot game areas A2 to A11 are disposed onthe lower display 16. It is possible to dispose the slot game area A1constituted by the mechanical reels 3A to 3C on the lower display 16 andthe slot game areas A2 to A11 constituted by the LCD panel 17 on theupper display 33.

In this case, the slot game execution processing on the slot game areasA1 to A11 is basically the same as the processing in the slot machines10, 10A, and 10B in the first to third embodiments. However, it isnecessary to dispose an LCD panel behind the upper display 33 similar tothe LCD panel 17 and control it by the controller 40 when the game areaA1 on the LCD panel is disposed on the upper display 33 as shown in FIG.27.

The slot machines and the playing methods thereof are described as abovebased on the embodiments schematically shown, however, the presentinvention is not limited to the above. The configuration of each partcan be replaced with an arbitrary configuration having the samefunction.

For example, in the above embodiments, the examples are shown, in whichthe slot games are executed in all of the slot game areas A1 to A11regardless of activation. However, it may also be possible to executethe slot games only in the activated slot game areas A1 to A11.Alternatively, a movie, which is looked like a slot game, may be playedon each non-activated slot game area.

1. A slot machine comprising: a display which has slot game areasincluding a specific slot game area and displays slot games on the slotgame areas, each of the slot games being a game in which symbols hadbeen displayed on each of the slot game areas are rearranged; and acontroller operable to: (a) execute the slot games on one or more of theslot game areas except the specific slot game area, and (b) execute theslot game on the specific slot game area when the slot games executed in(a) have brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.
 2. Theslot machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller is operable toexecute the slot games on all of the slot game areas except the specificslot game area in (a).
 3. The slot machine according to claim 1, whereinthe slot game areas except the specific slot game area are constitutedby a liquid crystal display panel and the specific slot game area isconstituted by mechanical reels.
 4. A slot machine comprising: a displaywhich has slot game areas including a specific slot game area anddisplays slot games on the slot game areas, each of the slot games beinga game in which symbols had been displayed on each of the slot gameareas are rearranged; an input device for inputting a bet amount; and acontroller operable to: (a) place a bet using the bet amount on the slotgame on each of one or more slot game areas, (b) execute the slot gameson the one or more slot game areas on each of which the bet has beenplaced in (a), except the specific slot game area, and (c) execute theslot game on the specific slot game area when the slot games executed in(b) have brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.
 5. Theslot machine according to claim 4, wherein a bet can be placed, in (a),on the slot game to be executed on the specific slot game area.
 6. Theslot machine according to claim 4, wherein the slot game areas exceptthe specific slot game area are constituted by a liquid crystal displaypanel and the specific slot game area is constituted by mechanicalreels.
 7. A playing method of a slot machine for playing slot games onslot game areas including a specific slot game area, each of the slotgame being a game in which symbols had been displayed on a slot gamearea are rearranged, comprising: (a) executing the slot games on one ormore of the slot game areas except the specific slot game area, and (d)executing the slot game on the specific slot game area when the slotgames executed in (a) have brought an outcome which has met a prescribedcondition.
 8. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 7,wherein the slot games executed by (a) are executed on all of the slotgame areas except the specific slot game area.
 9. The playing method ofa slot machine according to claim 7, wherein the slot games executed onthe slot game areas except the specific slot game area are displayed ona liquid crystal display panel, and the slot game executed on thespecific slot game is displayed by mechanical reels.
 10. A playingmethod of a slot machine for playing slot games on slot game areasincluding a specific slot game area, each of the slot game being a gamein which symbols had been displayed on a slot game area are rearranged,comprising: (a) inputting a bet amount, (b) placing a bet using the betamount on the slot game on each of one or more slot game areas, (c)executing the slot games on the one or more slot game areas on each ofwhich the bet has been placed in (b), except the specific slot gamearea, and (d) executing the slot game on the specific slot game areawhen the slot games executed in (c) have brought an outcome which hasmet a prescribed condition.
 11. The playing method of a slot machineaccording to claim 10, wherein a bet can be placed, in (b), on the slotgame to be executed on the specific slot game area.
 12. The playingmethod of a slot machine according to claim 7, wherein the slot gamesexecuted on the slot game areas except the specific slot game area aredisplayed on a liquid crystal display panel, and the slot game executedon the specific slot game is displayed by mechanical reels.